Students ponder what they would ask the framers of the Constitution

Tuesday

Nov 20, 2012 at 10:14 AMNov 20, 2012 at 10:14 AM

By John Nolanjnolan@fosters.com

MILTON — Milton VFW Post 8393, which absorbed the Farmington VFW Post about a year ago, held its annual judging of the Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen essay contests on Nov. 9 and thus had two school systems from which to draw contestants.

Only a pair of high school students — both Nute sophomores — submitted voice recorded essays on a patriotic theme, but both, as VFW member Paul Carlson pointed out, were of a high standard.

The judges, this year, consisted of former Milton Elementary School Principal Nancy Drew, former Milton State Rep. Nancy Johnson, this reporter, Selectman Bob Bridges (fresh in from a hunting trip) and Milton Mills resident Donna Cochrane. They scored the contestants on various criteria, including delivery, passed in their sheets and Carlson announced that the winner was No. 2 — he could not reveal the name at that stage as the essay will now advance to the VFW District 3 round.

The Patriot Pen essays are written, annually, by middle school students, and this year, surprisingly, Nute Middle School submitted no entries. Henry Wilson Memorial School, however, was responsible for 26 entries, all coming, said Carlson, from sixth graders.

The theme was — what would you ask or tell the framers of the American Constitution, if you were able to meet them? This produced a wide range of responses from the essayists, including remonstrations about slavery and the fact that women were not given the vote from the get-go. Many students were also eager to point out that since — as one student put it — the Dark Ages, Americans have elected an African American president.

Carlson said that, as with the Voice of Democracy, the name of the winning essayist will be revealed after the next round of the national contest, which is the district level.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.